Larue James Wulfekoetter

LaRue James Wulfekoetter (78) was born on June 11, 1943 in Hebron, Nebraska to Edwin and Gertrude (Drews) Wulfekoetter. He went home to Jesus on September 23rd, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center after a brief battle with cancer. He was born with a twin sister, LaVina and joined an older brother, Darold. Together, they grew up in Hebron and graduated from Hebron High School. In high school, he was an avid sports fan and played basketball, baseball, football and ran in track and field. He even played on the Legion baseball team. After high school he worked in construction and learned how to build houses and lay brick. Over the years, masonry became his true passion and his work can be seen across the community. LaRue lived by the phrase “Work Hard, Play Hard”. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1965. He served six years and fought in Vietnam during the Vietnam War from 1969-1970. He had known his beautiful wife, Sue for years as they grew up in the same community, but did not start dating her until 1968 and they were married on April 26th, 1970, although LaRue would often celebrate this anniversary on April 19th! They had two children, James and Tara who were also raised in Hebron. He was a 45 year member of the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department in which he was able to respond to hundreds of calls throughout the years. He used his masonry skills to help build the addition to the fire hall and left his signature on the west back door. He was a 50 year member of the American Legion at Post #180 and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, where he was an usher, greeter and communion server. He volunteered his time and talents on many projects for the church over the years. He loved spending his time with family, checking up on his friends, and playing cards with his grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Gertrude Wulfekoetter. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Susan (Bauer) Wulfekoetter, son James Wulfekoetter of Lincoln, daughter, Tara Wulfekoetter of Lincoln, grandchildren Alexander and Samantha Wulfekoetter (James), brother Darold Wulfekoetter and his wife Janice, sister LaVina Leber and her husband LaVonnne (Tex), brother-in-law Jay Bauer and his wife Kelly, sister-in-law Kathy and her husband Craig Anderson and many more nieces, nephews, and friends.